How do I know if a buyer contacting me is actually verified, or just claiming to be?
Short answer: A genuine claim of verification should be checkable independently rather than something you just have to take on trust — ask for their business registration details and confirm those independently, check whether they're verified on a specific platform you can cross-reference yourself, and be wary of anyone whose "verification" consists only of their own unverifiable say-so.
Skip the phone calls. List your scrap once and let verified buyers on ScrapTrade come to you with real, checked offers.
List Free →Why “verified” claims need independent checking
Anyone can say they’re verified — the word itself carries no weight unless there’s something you can actually check independently, whether that’s a business registration number, a platform’s own verification system, or another concrete, checkable credential.
What to actually ask for and check
Request a business registration or ABN and look it up independently through the relevant government registry rather than trusting whatever the buyer tells you about it — this simple step catches a surprising number of claims that don’t hold up.
What a lack of checkable credentials suggests
A buyer who can’t provide anything independently verifiable, relying purely on their own assurance that they’re legitimate, is a meaningful caution sign — legitimate buyers, especially those handling any real volume, generally have registration details and other verifiable information readily available.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Buyers on ScrapTrade go through a business verification process before they can make offers, giving you a checked starting point rather than having to independently verify every new contact yourself.
Ready to sell your scrap without worrying about who you’re dealing with? ScrapTrade connects verified buyers and sellers with escrow-protected payments and transparent weighing.
List or Find Scrap on ScrapTrade →Straight answers on spotting scams and verifying buyers before you hand over your scrap — for Albury and regional NSW sellers.